Burial - Carcass Disposal

Carcasses must be buried in accordance with Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (PCA) standards. Burial requires great care in site selection because during decomposition, carcasses release material that can pollute ground water.

Requirements:

1. The carcass must be five feet above the seasonal high-water table. Do not place carcass in sandy or gravelly soils. Maintain at least 10 feet of separation between the carcass and the bedrock.
2. Immediately cover the animal with soil and be sure that the carcass is buried deep enough to prevent scavenging by other animals (at least 3 feet).

Advantages:

• Inexpensive
• Low biosecurity risk

Disadvantages:

• Difficult in winter
• Can cause ground-water pollution